Material Micro Machining and Marking

Micromachining of different materials has gained increasing significance during recent years. Especially laser beam drilling and laser beam structuring play an important part in this respect. They require radiation sources of a superb beam quality (TEM00) with high power outputs in different wavelength ranges. A high beam quality allows the smallest structures to be machined into the material, while considerable pulse energies facilitate a high operating speed.

­The laser-based marking and labeling of workpieces is amongst the more established laser applications.
A desired surface inscription or mark can be obtained in different ways.
In the case of surface engravings, short high-energy laser pulses are applied to a workpiece, in order to evaporate material at its surface. Typically, this creates an indentation mark with a certain pile-up around its outline and related discoloration effects. A discoloration of the workpiece's laser inscription area without any damage to the actual surface is successfully achieved by steel temper marking techniques. To function properly, this type of laser inscription technique requires steel with a certain carbon content. Color changes by laser marking can also be achieved on hard metals.

Another marking application is the partial removal of previously applied paint, coating or finish layers.

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